REVIEW: You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts

In You Had Me at Cowboy (Cowboys of Creedence #2) by Jennie Marts, Mason James loathes people that use him to get close to his famous hockey-playing brother. However, the moment he meets Tessa Kane, he’s so captivated he doesn’t even question her motives in wanting to be around him. Yet, the moment he learns the truth, will things be over between the pair or will they fight for their happy ever after because Tessa had a good reason for getting close to Mason and his family?

=She leaned against the side of the car. “This sounds like a terrible, awful, yet kind of brilliant idea.” He chuckled. “But I do know what it’s like to be single at a wedding and have every busybody in attendance come up and not gently remind me that I’m still single with well-meaning but ridiculously insulting words of advice.”
“Tell me about it.”
“So, I think you’re right. The best way to nip that in the bud is to have a date. And not just a date, but a date with a whisper of a relationship.”=

Resilient heroines and sexy cowboys are certainly big draws for me when it comes to this new series by Ms. Marts, and I’ve got to say that I absolutely loved this second book of her Cowboys of Creedence series. Really, the way this story had me liking the heroine immediately because she works the fact that her date is a no-show to her advantage. However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where things get really interesting, as the hero is often cautious when it comes to the opposite sex, and yet, Tessa manages to win him over instantly with her beauty and the fact that she’s been stood up. How could Mason not feel sorry for her?

As for the dialogue, it was very entertaining due to main characters back stories, their growing relationships, the obstacles they face to be together and the matchmaking by the secondary characters. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I liked how determined she was to help her grandmother get out of financial trouble. Certainly, it’s hard for her to betray the trust of such good people like Mason and his family, but there’s no other way to help her grandmother. Will she finally admit the truth to Mason about what’s going on in her life? While the hero, he’s confident, charming, hard-working and I liked how determined he was to win over the heroine because she’s the first woman to capture his attention in a long time. I also liked the close relationships he has with his family and the friendships he shares with workers of the family ranch. Certainly, they wouldn’t be able to pull off ‘Operation Gunslinger’ without everyone; an operation that had me shaking my head with amusement because it’s so effective without being dangerous.

”We’re they really going to start shooting at them?” she whispered.
Vivi let out a bark of laughter. “Lord no. Most of those guns aren’t even loaded. And did you see the one Colt had? That was the antique revolver that sits on our mantel above our fireplace.”
Laughter bubbled up her chest, and Tess let out a nervous giggle. “Are you serious?”
“Of course I’m serious.” Vivi eyes sparkled with mischief. “It’s not even a real gun. It’s a lighter.”
Tess looked from Vivi to Quinn to Sassy; then the four women broke into laughter. Holding her sides, Tess tried to catch her breath as the men headed toward the table, laughing themselves and clapping one another on the back.

Overall, Ms. Marts has delivered another fantastic and worthwhile read in this book where the chemistry between Mason and Tessa was tangible and strong; the romance was full of delicious heat and passion that shows just how well Mason knows how to please a woman; and the ending had me worried for this couple’s happy ever after because of what happens to cause their relationship to go awry, but had me loving what the heroine does to win the hero back. Certainly, advice from her grandmother about not giving up on Mason is needed, but conquering a fear is a surefire way for the heroine to show the hero how much she loves him. I would recommend You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts, if you enjoy the mysterious strangers trope, the opposites attract trope or books by authors Lia Riley, Donna Grant, Lori Wilde and Soraya Lane.
 

Book Info:

Publication: November 27th, 2018 | Sourcebooks Casablanca | Cowboys of Creedence #2

This cowboy is falling hard

Mason James is the responsible one who stayed behind to run the ranch while his brother, Rock, took off to play professional hockey. Women have used him before to get to his brother–and Mason intends never to get burned again. But after he meets quirky Tessa Kane at his brother’s wedding, Mason discovers he’s ready to take a chance on love.

Tessa Kane is a reporter on the verge of losing a job she desperately needs–unless she’s clever enough to snag a story on the famous Rockford James. But when she falls for her subject’s brother, she’s caught between a rock and a hard-muscled cowboy. What will happen when Mason finds out who she really is?